Manchester United 'closing in on deal for Japanese goalkeeper'

Manchester United are reportedly closing in on the signature of Urawa Red Diamonds goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.

The 20-year-old came through the youth academy at his current club, representing them in their various age groups before making his first-team debut in 2021.

Suzuki has featured on 28 occasions for Urawa Red Diamonds in all competitions, while he has been capped on one occasion by Japan, debuting for the national side in July 2022.

According to Sponichi, Man United are now closing in on a deal for the youngster, having made a £5m offer to sign him during this summer's transfer window.

The report claims that the 20-time English champions have been scouting Suzuki for a long period and are now on the verge of securing a deal to bring him to the club for the 2023-24 campaign.

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Suzuki has played eight times in the J1 League for Urawa Red Diamonds, but the majority of his outings have come in the J. League Cup.

Man United are believed to be exploring the possibility of bringing two new goalkeepers to the club during this summer's transfer window.

David de Gea's contract at Old Trafford came to an end on June 30, with the Spaniard now a free agent, so the Red Devils only have two first-team stoppers at the club in the shape of Dean Henderson and Tom Heaton.

Henderson is back at Carrington recovering from a thigh injury, but he is expecting to complete a permanent move to Nottingham Forest before the end of the transfer window.

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Meanwhile, Heaton is not considered to be a number one, which has led to the 20-time English champions targeting a move for Inter Milan's Andre Onana.

A second bid for the Cameroonian has allegedly been made, but the two clubs are still said to be some way apart in terms of their valuations of the stopper.

In theory, Onana could become Man United's number one for next season with Suzuki joining Heaton in providing back-up, providing that De Gea does not return as a number two.

The Red Devils have already signed Mason Mount this summer and will also bring in a new centre-forward, but the size of their budget will depend on outgoings, with Harry Maguire, Fred and Anthony Elanga potentially departing to raise an additional £100m.